Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 30 Jan 2001

Vol. 529 No. 1

Written Answers. - Departmental E-mail System.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

937 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the number of occasions on which viruses occurred in incoming e-mails in his Department in the past 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2544/01]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

938 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the number of occasions on which hackers have attempted to breach his Department's e-mail security in the past 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2559/01]

Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs (Mr. D. Ahern)

It is proposed to take Questions Nos. 937 and 938 together.

All PCs in the Department have anti-virus software installed. Those on the Department's main network have this software updated automatically each week. In August 2000, the Department implemented additional anti-virus software on its e-mail gateway. This is updated daily. Since then 145 incidents of incoming viruses have been detected and deleted. These e-mails are prevented from entering the Department's internal mail system. No attempts to hack into any of my Department's computer systems have been detected in the last 12 months.

The Department is committed to deploying the latest anti-virus software to protect its customers' and other critical business information. The Department is also a member of the international security forum, ISF, from which it receives material and other advice. Staff are regularly advised of virus threats and best security prac tices. The Department regularly reviews its access and security policies to ensure that these are in line with the latest industry standards.